Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-12-13

stiifiy from her chair and saluted tho ladieI
with stern submission as they opened TIM
door, A person Of unblemished character
evidently-but not without visible draw
backs. Big bushy eyebrows, an awfully deeT
and solemn voice, a harsh, unbendng man
ner, complete absence in her figure of the
undulating lines characteristic Of the sex,
presented virtue in this excellent person
under its least aluring aspect. Strangers or
a first introduction to her were accustomed
TO wonder why she was not man.
aAre you pretty well, Mrs RollandP
al am as well as can expect TO be, my lady
at my time Of life"
ais there anything can do for you'll"
"Your ladyship can do me great favor II
you will please speak TO my character while
was in your service am offered place t
wait on an invalid lady who has lately come
to live in this neighborhood."
aAh, yes-I have heard OF her. A Mrs
CaIbury, with very pretty niece, am told
But, Mrs. ROLAND, you left my service somt
time ago. Mrs Carbury will surely expect
YOU to refer TO the last mistress by whom
you were employed"
A fash OF virtuous Indignation irradiated
Mrs. Rolland's sunken eyes. 5he cOugh-i
before she answered, us II her "last mistress
stuck in her throat.
Il have explained to Mrs. Carbury, my
lady, that the person last served-I really
cannot give her title in your ladyshipS pres
ence!-has left England for America. Mrs
Carbury knows that quilted the person Of
my own free will and knows why, and aP
proves OF my conduct SO far. A word fror
your ladyship will be amply sufficient to get
me the situation"
~Very well, Mrs. ROLAND, have no objec
ton TO be your reference, under tho c;rcnm-
stances. Mrs. Carbury will find me at home
tomorrow until o'clock
EMrs. Carbury Is not well enough to leave
the house, my lady. Her niece, Miss Hal
dane, will call and make the inquiries, II
your lndyship has no objection"
Al have not the least objection. The pretty
niece carries her own welcome with her.
Wait u minute, Mrs ROLAND This lady IL
Miss Lockwooi-my husbands cousin, and
my friend. She Is anxious to speak TO you
about the courier who was in the late Lord
Montbarry's service at Venice
Mrs Hollands bushy eyebrows frowned in
stern disapproval Of the new topic Of CONVEX.
sation. 81 regret TO hear it, my lady" wai
all she said.
GPerhaps you have not been informed OF
what happened after you left Venicei' Ag.
mes ventured to add. @Ferrari left the place
secretly, and has never been heard Of since.
Mrs. ROLAND mysteriously closed her eyes
as il to exclude some vision Of the lost cou-
rier, which was OF a nature to disturb a re.
spectacle woman. -Nothing that Mr.. Ferrari
could do would surprise me, she replied, in
her deepest bass tones.
@You speak rather hArshly of him." saiG
Agnes.
Mrs. ROLAND suddenly opened her eye
again. Il speak haIshly of nobody withou
reason,n she said. "Mr. Ferrari behaved Il
me, Miss Lockwood, as no man living ha
ever behaved-before or since"
aWhat did he dol"
Mrs ROLAND answered with stony star
Of horror: "He took liberties with men
Young Lady Montbarry suddenly turnet
aside and put her handkerchief over he
mouth in commissions OF suppressed laughter,
Mrs ROLAND went on, with grim EMO ,
ment Of the bewilderment which her repl
had produced in Agnes. HAnd when insisteC
on an apology, miss, he had the audacity &c
say that the life at the palace was dull, ant
be didn't know how else to amuse himselfF'
II am afraid 1 have hardly made mysel
understood" said Agnes. a am not speak
ing to you out Of any interest in Ferrari. Ar,
you aware that he is marriedp
Al pity his wife, said Mrs. ROLAND.
''She is naturally in great grief about him,
Agnes proceeded.
"She ought to thank God she is rid Of him,
Mrs Roland interposed.
/ IL
Ferrari from her childhood, and am sin
cerely anxious to help her in this matter. Die
you notice anything while you were at Ven
ice that would account for her husbands ex
traordinary disappearancei On what sort o
terms, for instance, did he live with his mas
ter and mist'essP
HOn terms of familiarity with his mistress,
said Mrs. ROLAND, (which were simply sick
ening to respectable English servant She
used TO encourage him to talk to her about
all his aifairs-how he got on with his wife,
and how pressed he was for money, and sucl
like-just as il they were equals. Contempi
ble-that's what call it."
aAnd his masterF Agnes continued. HHov
did Ferrari get on with Lord MontbarryF
any lord used to live shut up with hi
studies and his sorrows," Mrs. ROLAND an
| swered. with n hard solemuity expressive O
rasnact for his lordsbip,s memory RMr Fer
rai got his money when it was due: and Ia
cared for nothing else. III [ could afforl /
would leave the place, too; but can't af
ford it, Those were the last words he said {,
me ON the morning when left the palace.
made no reply. After what had happened
ION that other OCCASION wns naturally no
on speaking terms with Mr.. FerrariH
"Can you really tell me nothing which will
throw any light on this matterf'
"Nothing," said Mrs. ROLAND, with IN un
disguised relish Of the disappointment tina
she was INJECTING.
''There was another member Of the famil,
at Venice" Agnes resumed, determined /,
slit the question to the bottom while she hat
tLA chance. There was Baron Rivar.n
Mrs. ROLAND lifted her large hands, GOV
cred with rusty black gloves. in mute protes
against the introduction OF Baron Riyar as
subject OF inquiry. "Are you aware, miss,
orence ~ what I obsarvadS
AGNES ,touned her there "I on,v vnnte,
IN osL y sha exclaimed az anvtbino was sal,
or dome Inv Baron Rivar which might accoun
o. Ea,-or;,s strango condrctn
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